MN Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) protect the last remaining habitat for Minnesota’s rarest plants and animals. Recreation is limited to protect this habitat and natural diversity.
Moose Mountain SNA is located in Duluth in the North Shore Highlands. This site has no maintained trails or other recreational facilities. This SNA is also notable for being along one of the nation’s most travelled routes for migratory birds. Moose Mountain is within sight of and a familiar landmark used in spotting birds from Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, where since 1972 researchers have done systematic annual counts (and banding) of raptors migrating along Superior’s north shore.
With its cover of sugar maple, basswood, yellow birch, northern red oak and aspen, this SNA is a flash of color in autumn, which is also the peak time to catch the spectacle of bird migration through the Duluth area. Watch for Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks shooting past like arrows on a northwest wind, Ospreys with their nearly 6′ wingspans, even an occasional Peregrine Falcon.
